Coin-operated vending-machine.



No. 355,054. PATBNTED MAY 28,1907. Y G. T.-HA1NBS. 1

G01N OPBRATED VENDINGl MACHINE.'

APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 9, 1906.

` 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

1HE omas PETERS cio., wAsmNaoN, n. c,

, D A v. n Ev f f w E h n .l H .r s Q o0 M mv ./fv H. M w A N5 H m `E mL f A..ll`Huwwwwmmmmme E N. k` m T TI- A M. P A@ Mw Gom. S .Emu mnu Ammn. vn DN @EN GMM Rw En Pr 0A N TI- 0 HU 1H.: NoRRIs PETERS co.,wAsHmoroN, n. c.

PATENTED MAY 28, 1907.

VG. T. HAINBS. COIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8, 1906..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE Nomus PETER: ca, wnsjamaraw, n. :LA

coin-chute and contiguous parts.

GEORGE T. HAINES, `OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

COIN-OPERATED VENDlNG-IVIACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 28, 1907.

Appumiou ined March 8,1906. serial No. 304,834..

T0 afi/Z whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE T. HArNEs, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and Stateof Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCoin-Operated Vending-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,of whichy Figure 1 is a side elevation, the side of the casing beingremoved. Fig. 2 is a medial vertical section. Fig.- 3 is a sectional endelevation, being taken on the line xix, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section ofthe upper end of the Fig. 5 is a section of the lower end of thecoin-chute, the ejecting plate, and the coin-operated pawl engaging thesame. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section as on line y-.-fy, Fig. 1. Fig. 7isa plan view of the ejecting plate.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and efficientcoin-operated apparatus for delivering packages or other articles to bedispensed.

The leading feature` of the machine comprises the means whereby theinsertion of a coin into the usual coin-,slot-way sets mechanism, which,as the coin passes on through the slot-way, is released by the gravityof the coin, and thereby ejects one package or article to be dispensed,from the machine.

Other features of the invention relate to i various details, hereinafterpointed out.

In the drawings, 1, is a support upon which the parts are mounted, andinclosed by a suitable casing, 2, the top of which, 3, is provided witha slot, 4, for the insertion of the coin. The slot, 4, communicates witha coin-chute or guide-way, 5, formed of suitable metal. Within thecoin-chute or guideway, 5, and immediately in line with the slot,

-4,'is a sliding plate, 6, whose upper end is normally adjacent theslot, 4. The lower end of the plate, 6, rests upon, and is pressedoutwardly by the free end ofan arm, 7, extending 'from a shaft, 8, whichshaft is journaled in suitable brackets, 9. Extending downwardly fromand secured to said shaft, 8, is a long arm, 10, whose lower end passesthrough and engages a slot, 11., in a horizontally disposed plate, 12,which is Supported upon a frame, 13, and adapted to slide horizontallyin suitable guide-ways, 14, of said frame. This plate, 12, is normallypressed forwardly tothe position shown in the drawings, by a spring orsprings, 15. In this instance, I have shown two springs, 15, each coiledaround a horizontal bar, 16, extending from the said frame, 13, and saidsprings having each an arm extension, 17, resting againstV the uppersurface of the support, 1, and also each having an extension, 18,engaging the plate, 12. Overlying the said plate, 12, when thelatter isin the normal or forward position, and extending upwardly thereabove, isachute, 19, charged with packages to be ejected from the apparatus, suchas packages of chocolate, chewing-gum or the like. The forward side ofthe lower end of this chute, 19, is provided with aslot, 20, of suchheight that, .when the lowermost package is resting upon the horizontalplate, 12, the upper ed e thereof will be above the top of said slot. utwhen, as hereinafter described, the column of packages within the chute,19, is permitted, by the backward movement of the plate, 12, frombeneath said column, to descend and rest upon the horizontal, ex-

tended floor-portion, 14a of the guide-ways,

14, the upper edge of the lowermost package will be below the lowerendof said slot, 20, thus permitting the ejection of said lowermostpackage, as hereinafter described.

Extending downwardly from a shaft, 21, journaled in brackets, 22, of thecoin-chute, 5, is a bar, 23, constituting a pawl, which, by pressure ofa suitable spring, 24, is caused to press against the adjacent edge ofthe plate 12, a slot-way, 25, being provided in the guide-way, 14, topermit this. The edge of the plate, 12, adjacent the pawl-bar, 23, andforward of the latter, when the late is in the normal or forwardlyextended) position, is provided with a series of rack teeth, 26, Fig. 7,which teeth are adapted, when the plate is retracted, as hereinafter setforth, to be engaged by said pawl, and thereby to lock the platel insaid retracted position. The plate, 12, is also provided with a slot,27, which, when in the normal or forward position, registers with thelower end of the coin-chute, 5, for a purpose hereinafter described.Some distance above the plate, 12, the inner edge of the pawl-bar, 23,is provided with a camlike projection, 28, that extends into the'coin-chute, 5, as seen in Figs. 3, and 5, for a purpose hereinafterdescribed.

IOO

The lower, forward edge of the casing, 2, is

provided with a through slot,y 29, Fi 1, and extending outwardlytherethrough, rom the forward edge of the frame, 13, is a plate, 30,

IIO

l ages to be vended, and the plate, 12, being in the normal or forwardposition, its forward portion beneath the lowermost package of thecolumn within the chute, 19, all as shown in the drawings, the operatorinserts the coin edgewise into the slot, 4 its lower edge engaging theupper edge of the plate, 6; presses the same downwardly, whereby thesaid plate, 6, is caused to press downwardly the free end of arm, 7,thereby rotating shaft, S,

and moving backwardly the downwardly extending arm, 10, which, by itsengagement with the plate, 12, retracts the same against the stress ofsprings, 15, to a position where its forward edge is withdrawn frombeneath the column of packages within the chute, 19. Whereupon, the saidcolumn of packages will descend the distance of the vertical thicknessof said plate, and will rest upon the extended floor-portion, ,14a ofthe guide-ways, 14. Vhen this position is reached, the pawl-bar, 23, is,by its spring, 24, pressed inwardly into engagement with one of theteeth, 26, of the plate, 12, thereby locking the said plate in thisretracted position. At the same time, the slot, 27, in the plate, 12, isbrought out of registry with the coin-chute, 5.

The upper end of the plate, 6, would usually be made of substantiallythe form shownr in Fig. 4, that is, of a width not so great as that ofthe slot, 4, and its said upper edge undercut, at 6a, thereby forming anedge, 6b. The purpose of this construction is: to insure the passage ofthe coin into the coin-chute, 5, after it has done its work ofretrac'ting the plate, 12, as above described. The action is as follows:HThe coin, being inserted in the slot, 4, as it is pressed downwardlyagainst the upper end of the plate, 6, finds a bearing between the edge,6b, and the o posite edge, 4a, of the slot, 4, and when the p ate, 6, isapproaching its limit of downward movement, in its action of retractingthe plate, 12, the coin has moved forwardly on said edges as bearings,to such an extent that the arc of the periphery of the coin above theplate, 6, and between said edges, is less than a semicircle, whereby thecoin tends to roll forward into the coin-chute, 5.

The inward movement of the lower end of the pawl-bar, 23, intoengagement with the tooth, 26, of the plate, 12, brings the camlikeprojection, 28, of the pawl-bar, 23, to a position substantiallyextending across the coin-chute 5. The coin now moves downwardly intothe coin-chute, 5, and descends, by its gravity, until it engages theinner laee of the projection, 2S, of the pawl-bar 23, thereby pressingthe same outwardly l'rom its path against the stress of the spring, 24;which action retracts the said pawl-bar, 23, from engagement with thetooth, 26, ol' the said plate, 12 whereupon the springs, 15, press saidplate forwardly, and. the forward edge thereof engaging thc rear edge ofthe lowermost package, the same is slid from under the column ofpackages within the chute, 19, and is ejected onto the plate, 3() whichguides the same through the slot, 29, of the casing, 2, to the exteriorof said easing, where it is removed. by the purchaser.

It will be observed that the edge, 12"L of the plate 12, to the rear ofthe teeth, 26, is in a plane beyond that of the outer edges of theteeth, and the portion of said edge, 12"L adjacent said teeth isprovided with a bevel, 12b. The object of this construetion is asfollowsz-The coin, hzwing pressed against the projection, 28, of thepawl-latr, 23, and thereby retracted the same from the tooth, 26, is, bythe forward pressure of the spring, 24, against said pawl, held betwwnthe said projection, 23, and the opposite face ol' the coin-chute, 5,but as the plate, .12, moves forwardly, the bevel, 12", coming againstthe lower end of the pawl-bar, 23, causes the lat,- ter to move fartheroutwardly, until it rides upon the edge, 12, thereby .insuring the release of the coin by the pawl-bar, 23. When. the plate, 12, has reachedthe foruf'ard position, having ejected a package from the machine, theslot, 27 therethrough, being in registry with the lower end of thecoin-chute, 5, the coin drops therethrough, having linished its work.

Extending across the frame, 13, above the plane of the plate, 12, and,in this instance, immediately to the rear of the chute, 19, is a bar,31, against which, when the plate, 12, is in the farthest ibrwardposition, the upper ends of the spring extensions, 13, are adapted toimpinge, thus forming a suitable. stop for the plate, 12.

To prevent fraudulent use ol iron or steel slugs, in imitation of coins,in. the machine, l would provide, the rear of the coin-ehu te, 5,adjacent the upper portion thereof, with a slot, 32, adjacent whichextends a magnet, 33, supported on a suitable bracket, 31. And,supported on a bracket, 35, .rising from the base, 1, is a gong, 36.

If an iron or steel imitationv coin be inseried in the slot, 4; afterretracting the plate, 12, and passing downwardly .into the chute, 5, itwill be drawn outwardly by the magnet, 33, and the resultant of said.outward and downward :movement of the iron eoin will cause the same topass outwardly from the coin-chute, 5, through the slot, 32, and in itsIOO further descent it will strike the gong, 36, in-

dicating that a spurious coin has been placed in the machine. Of course,the spurious coin h-aving retracted the plate, 12; when the next goodcoinaisinserted in the slot, 4, it will immediately descend into thechute, 5, and by engagement with the projection, 28, of the pawl-bar,23, will release said plate, 12, causing the ejection of a package inthe usual manner.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the constructionshown in the drawings, as the same may be considerably modified withoutdeparting from the essentials of my invention. I further remark, thatthe number of packages ejected at each operation of the machine can, ofcourse, be regulated by the relative vertical height thereof, and of theplate, 12 and the slot, 20.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. In a com-controlled vending machine, thecombination of the package-containing chute, the horizontally slidableplate constituting the bottom of said chute whenV in the forwardposition, a support below said plate for supporting the packages withinsaid ackage-containing chute when said plate 1s retracted, means foryieldingly maintaining said plate in forward position, a coin-chute,means actuated by the insertion of a coin into the coin-chute, forwithdrawing said plate from beneath said package-containing chute, meansfor automatically locking said plate in said retracted position,together with means actuated by the coin for partially releasing saidlocking means and retaining the coin in the chute and so permitting theplate to be automatically returned to the forward position, and tothereby eject a package from the bottom of said column,y and means tocompletely release the locking means to discharge the coin from thecoin-chute, substantially as set forth.

2. In a coin-controlled vending machine,

the combination of the package-containing chute, the horizontallyslidable plate con-- stituting the bottom of said chute when in theforward position, means for yieldingly maintaining said plate in saidforward position, a support below said plate for supporting the packageswithin said package-containing chute when the said plate is retracted, acoin-chute, the pivoted arm having the part extending into saidcoin-chute to be actuated by the insertion of the coin thereinto, thedownwardly extending arm whose upper end is connected with said firstmentioned arm, and whose lower end engages said plate, means forautomatically locking said plate in said retracted position, togetherwith means actuated by the coin for partially releasing said lockingmeans and retaining the coin in the chute, and so permitting the plateto be automatically returned to the forward position, and to therebyeject a package from the bottom of said column, and means to completelyrelease the locking means to discharge the coin from the coin-chute,substantially as set forth. y

3. In a coin-controlled vending machine, the combination with a casinghaving a coinslot of the package-containing chute, the I horizontallyslidable plate constituting the bottom of said chute when in the forwardposition, a support belowsaid plate for supporting the packages withinsaid packagecontaining chute, when said plate is retracted, means foryieldingly maintaining said plate in forward position, a coin-chutecommunicating with said coin-slot, the slidable plate extendingl acrossthe mouth ,of said coinchute, and in line with said coin-slot, and whoseupper edge partially closes the slot against the insertion of a coin inthe normal position of the parts, the pivoted arm whose free end extendsbeneath and supports said last mentioned plate, the downwardly extendingarm connected with said pivoted arm, and whose lower end engages saidhorizontal plate, means for automatically locking said horizontal platein said retracted positin, together with means actuated by coin forreleasing said locking means, and so permitting the plate to beautomatically returned to the forward position, and to thereby eject apackage from the bottom of said column, substantially as set forth.

4. In a coin-controlled vending machine, the combination of thepackage-containing chute, the horizontally slidable plate constitutingthe bottom of the said chute when in the forward position, a supportbelow said plate for supporting the packages within saidpackage-containing chute, when said plate is retracted, means foryieldingly maintaining said plate in forward position, a coin-chute, thevertical, slidable plate extending across the entrance end of said coinchute, and having its upper end of less width than that of thecoin-chute, and undercut, forming an edge, means for connectingsaid lastmentioned plate with the said horizontal plate, whereby downwardpressure upon said ver tical plate will withdraw said horizontal platefrom beneath the package-containing chute, means for automaticallylockingsaid horizontal plate in said retracted position,

vtogether with means actuated by the coin for releasing said lockingmeans, and so permitting the plate to be automatically returned to theforward position, and to thereby eject a package from the bottom of saidpackagecontaining chute, substantially as set forth.

5. In a coin-controlled vending machine, the combination of thepackage-containing chute, the horizontally slidable plate con- ICSstituting the bottom of said chute when in the forward position, asupport below said plate for supporting the packages within saidpackage-containing chute when said plate is retracted, means foryieldingly maintaining said plate in forward position, a coinchute,means actuated by the insertion of a coin into vthe coin-chute, forwithdrawing said plate from beneath said package-containing chute, theteeth on the edge of said plate, the spring controlled pawl, adapted toengage one of the said teeth when the plate is retracted to lock saidpawl in retracted position, a part on said pawl extending into thecoin-chute in the path of the coin, whereby impingement of the cointhereon partially releases said pawl from engagement with the said teethbut retains the coin in the chute, and means to completely release saidpawl to discharge the coin from the coin-chute, substantiall3T as setforth.

6. ln a coin-controlled vending machine, the combination of thepackage-containing chute, the horizontally slidable plate constitutingthe bottom of said chute when in forward position, a support below saidplate for supporting the packages within said package-containing chutewhen the said plate is retracted, means for yieldingly maintaining saidplate in forward position, a coin-chute, means actuated by the insertionof acoin into the coin-chute, for withdrawing said plate from beneathsaid package-containing chute, the teeth on the edge of said plate, theportion of the edge'of said plate to the rear of said teeth being in aplane beyond that of the outer edges of said teeth, thespring-controlled pawl adapted to engage one of the said teeth when theplate is retracted, and to ride on said outwardly extending edge of saidplate when the latter is in forward position, a part on said pawlextending into the coinchute in the path of the coin, wherebyimpingement of the coin thereon releases said pawl from engagement withsaid teeth, substantially as set forth.

7. In a coin controlled vending machine, the combination of thepackage-containing chute, the horizontally slidable plate constitutingthe bottom of said chute when in the forward position, a support belowsaid plate for supporting the packages within said package-containingchute, when said plate is 1etraoted, means for yieldingly maintainingsaid plate in forward position, a coin-chute, means actuated by theinsertion of a coin into the coin-chute, for withdrawing the said platefrom beneath said package-containing chute, means for automaticallylocking said plate in said retracted position, together with meansactuated by the coin for releasing said locking means, and so permittingthe plate to be automatically returned to the .forward position, and tothereby eject a package from the bottom of said column, said plate beingprovided with a coin-slot in registry with the lower end of thecoin-chute when the said plate is in the forward position, substantiallyas set forth.

8. In a coin-controlled vending machine, the combination of thepackage-containing chute, the horizontally slid able plate constitutingthe bottom of said chute when in the forward position, a support belowsaid plaie for supportin the packages within said package-contaii'iingchute when said plate is retracted, means for yieldingly maintaininglsaid plate in forward position, a. coin-chute, means actuated by theinsertion of a eoin into the coin-chute, :for withdrmving said platefrom beneath said package-containing chute, the teeth on the edge ofsaid plate, the spring-controlled pawl, adapted to engage one of thesaid teeth when the plate is retractial, a part on said pawl extendinginto the coinchute in the path of the coin, whereby impingement of thecoin thereon releases said pawl from engagement with the said teeth,said plate being provided with a coii'i-slot in registry with the lowerend of the coin-chute when said plate is inv the forward position,

substantially as set forth.

9. ln a coin-controlled vending machine, the combination of thepackage-containing chute, the horizontally slid able plate constitutingthe bottom of said chute when in the forward position, a support belowsaid plate for supporting the packages within said package-containingchute when said plate is retracted, means for yieldingly maintainingsaid plate in forward position, a coin-chute, means actuated by theinsertion of a. coin into said coin-chute, for withdrawing said platefrom beneath said package-containing chute, means for automaticallylocking said plate in said retracted position, together with meansactuated by the coin `for partially releasing the said locking means andretaining the coin in the chute, and so permitting` the plate to beautomatieally returned to the forward position, and to thereby eject apackage from the bottom of said column, means to completely release thelocking means to discharge the coin from the coin-chute, and a stoplimiting the forward movement of said plate, substantially as set forth.

ln testimony whereof, l have hereunto affixed my signature.

GEORGE 'l`. lIAlN ICS.

fitnesses n/rien C. Prism', VWM. ll. SMITH.

IOO

IOS

